Nikon, world renowned for its uncompromising commitment to quality, produced its first binoculars in 1918.
    Since then, advances in technology and design sophistication have made Nikon binoculars and related products the envy of the industry.
    Now, Nikon welcomes you to a new dawn of viewing pleasure with its unrivalled high-quality binoculars.
    For a more detailed understanding of these products, please read on.
nomenclature
nomenclature

Mountaineering, Camping, Hiking
D : Roof (Dach) prism RA : Rubber-armoured
WP : Waterproof IF : Individual focusing
HP : High eyepoint CF : Central focusing
WF : Wide field of view
Marine Sports, Fishing
Travelling
Birdwatching,
Nature viewing
Spector Sports
Theatre
Stargazing
For Eyeglass Wearers
Museum
Hunting



[ Aspherical lens ] [ Aberrations and Distortion ] [ Binocular types : Roof (Dach) and Porro ][ Click-type dioptre adjustment ring ] [ Dioptre adjustment ring locking system ] [ Durable, shock-resistant stucture ] [ ED glass ] [ ISO 9001 spec. ] [ Long eye relief (High eyepoint) ] [ Multilayer coating ] [ Nikon original optical design ] [ Nikon's prime optical materials ] [ Prism design ] [ Rubber-armoured models ] [ Rubber protein-compound coating ] [ Smooth operation ] [ Superior prisms for clarity ] [ Technical checkpoints ] [ Using Nikon Binoculars ] [ Waterproof binoculars ]

Aspherical lens

Aspherical lens eliminates image distortion and reduces field curvature to negligible levels, thus enabling clear, crisp images up to the periphery of the viewing field.

Left : Aspherical lens without aberration (undistorted dots)
Right : Spherical lens with aberration (dots are distorted)


Aberrations and Distortion




B
inocular types : Prism binoculars

Prism binoculars have a wider field of view and higher magnification than Galilean binoculars.
Convex lenses are used for both objective and eyepiece lenses.
The inverted image is rectified by prisms in the optical path.
Two types of prism binoculars are available : 1) Roof (Dach) prism binoculars and 2) Porro prism binoculars. 

Roof (Dach) prism binoculars

Roof prism binoculars are becoming popular thanks to their light weight and compact size.
Since production and adjustment of roof prisms require the highest level of precision, optical performance differs from maker to maker. "Roof" refers to the roof-like shape of the prism. While, "Dach" is taken from the German word for "roof. "

Porro prism binoculars
The "Porro prism" was invented by an Italian engineer, Ignazio PORRO, in 1875. It is widely used in binoculars today.
Porro prism binoculars have a simple, rugged construction and form bright images.



Non - prism binoculars

Galilean binoculars
galilean Generally known as opera glasses, "Galilean binoculars" were named after their inventor, Galileo GALILEI (1564~1642) , the ltalian astronomer. These binoculars consist of convex lenses for the objectives and concave lenses for the eyepieces ; they form upright images. With a simplified prism - less optical system, Galilean binoculars feature neither high magnification nor a wide field of view.

Click-type dioptre adjustment ring

The dioptre adjustment ring, located at the bottom of the right eyecup is for adjusting the difference in visual acuity between the left and the right eye.
The click-type mechanism ensures that the ring remains properly adjusted at all times.

ex. 0.5 dpt. (dioptre) for each click (TRAVELITE V series)


Dioptre adjustment ring locking system

Nikon's original locking system in the dioptre adjusting ring keeps the binoculars always adjusted to the user's eyesight and ready for use at any time.

Left : Dioptre adjustment ring unlocked
Right : Locked


Durable, shock-resistant structure

Nikon uses quality materials and assembly methods to minimise the chance of the optical axis being knocked out of alignment.
If this happens, it can make viewing extremely hard on the eyes and cause headaches.

ED glass

Nikon especially developed ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass to provide pricise optical colour correction.
Because colours of the spectrum have differing wavelengths, red and blue light rays are bent at slightly different angles as they pass through nomal optical glass.
This dispersion results in colour fringing and lack of sharpness (see illustration at right).
Modern techniques to correct this chromatic aberration are effective with most lenses.
But telescopic lenses magnify the slight variation in focus between red and blue light rays.
Nikon developed ED glass in order to provide the sharp, clear resolution required for superb photographs.

ISO 9001 spec.

In 1994, we received a prestigious ISO 9001 award in recognition of excellence in quality control, the first Japanese binocular manufacturer to be so honored.
Elaborate care is taken to ensure that each part of the process from production to shipment and maintenance support is conducted based on the exacting ISO 9001 quality control system.
Finished products are scrutinized with a fine comb.
These inspections guarantee that Nikon binoculars will provide precise performance and smooth operation for years to come.

Long eye relief (High eyepoint)

Eye relief is the distance between the eyepiece lenses and the eyepoint at the time of focusing.
Nikon's long eye relief models ensure comfortable, appropriate viewing, and make it possible for wearers of glasses to see clearly up to the periphery.

a) View from eye relief point
b) View out of eye relief point


Multilayer coating

Nikon's multilayer coating prevents the loss of light that is caused by reflection on a lens surface, thus increasing light transmittance and offering a brighter, much clearer viewfield.

Nikon original optical design

Field of view
Nikon's advanced computer-calculated design of the complete optical system minimises aberrations, resulting in higher resolving power and crisp image definition throughout the viewing field.
As a result, the following is achieved :

1. The whole visual field is sharp.

2. The periphery and centre of the image are focused simultaneously.

3. The image appears undistorted.

4. Colours do not become blurred and real colour is reproduced.


Nikon's prime optical materials

Nikon uses its own special high-grade optical glass for lenses and prisms, and subjects it to strict inspection standards based on years of expertise in glassmaking.
This ensures brighter, clearer images, which means less eye fatigue even in lowlight settings like concert halls or evening twilight.

Prism design of Angled type Fieldscopes

Integrated in the angled body type Fieldscopes, Nikon's advanced prisms are designed for total light reflection, to ensure extra-bright viewing and approximately 15% less optical loss when compared with conventional angled body types having aluminium-coated prisms.
This prism provides angled body scopes with the same brightnass found in Nikon straight body types.

Rubber-armoured models

This moulded coating provides shock-resistance and a firm, comfortable grip.

Rubber protein-compound coating

New body material features superior hygroscopic / de-hygroscopic qualities and protects the binoculars from fingerprints and scratches.

Smooth operation

Nikon inspects all materials and uses advanced processing methods for peak performance.
All moving parts are lubricated for easy operation in variable-temperature areas.

Superior prisms for clarity

Exit pupil
Nikon makes prisms of the precise design to produce a perfectly round exit pupil, a sign of good binoculars.
The exit pupil is the bright circle of light seen in the centre of the eyepiece lens when you hold the binoculars about 30cm (approx. 1 ft.) in front of you pointed toward a light (Don't look at the sun !) .
Cheap materials and inferior design cause lost light and poorer image quality.

Technical checkpoints


Using Nikon Binoculars


Waterproof binoculars

These models are sealed with O-rings and filled with nitrogen (N2) gas so that they never fog up.
They are ideal for mountaineering, sailing or any other activities in severe weather conditions.
 

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